ort Worth, TX — The 25th Anniversary National Biodiesel Board Conference & Expo kicked off this week at the Fort Worth Convention Center with a presentation of the 2018 awards. Erie entrepreneur, businessman and HERO BX Founder and CEO Samuel P. “Pat” Black, III, was honored by the Board with the 2018 Initiative Award.

Pat Black created Lake Erie Biofuels, dba HERO BX, in 2006 with a vision to help revitalize Erie and spur a return to a booming manufacturing sector. HERO BX bears witness to his commitment to investing, creating and managing economic opportunities in the Lake Erie region and beyond with a focus on the creation of manufacturing jobs. HERO BX saw its first production begin in November 2007.

Over ten years later, HERO BX is one of the largest biodiesel production facilities east of the Mississippi and employs around 100 people across its three facilities.

The National Biodiesel Board is the national trade association representing America’s first advanced biofuel. The Board works to create sustainable biodiesel industry growth through education, communication, government affairs, technical and quality assurance programs. Serving as the coordinating body for research and development in the United States, the National Biodiesel Board is comprised of state, national and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and distribution and technology providers.

Black was chosen by the Board for the 2018 Initiative Award as his commitment to the biodiesel industry has helped the industry flourish nationwide. Black’s leadership has spurred development and technological advancements.

In accepting the award, Black stated, “I am honored to share this award with the tireless men and women of HERO BX, the ones who often put the HERO BX family above their own — the ones who helped me take an idea and make it a reality.”

Black continued to say, “We’ve always felt that HERO BX is not a place, but a community. We offer fuel for humanity.”

As part of that commitment, Black recently put pen to paper to author The Biodiesel Solution – How Biodiesel is Making a Difference for Our Future that launched at the conference and is available at Amazon Books.

HERO BX is an affiliate of:

Erie Management Group, LLC

The HERO BX mission is to be a reliable producer and distributor of biodiesel that exceeds industry standards. HERO BX produces and delivers biodiesel, a cleaner burning renewable drop-in replacement for petroleum and heating oil applications. These products reduce carbon emissions, create jobs in the United States, promote energy security and serve the community.